Inner CV boot failure

cervesa33 · 06-09-2009, 06:45 AM

I know a lot of you have lifted your 4th gen runners with either a 2 or 3 inch front lift. I installed a Readylift 3" front 2" rear and within a day the passenger side inner boot (on the small side of shaft) failed. I had the clamp replaced and it last a day or two and then I noticed the driver side boot clamp failed at the same location. The leaks are small now but I do not want it to get worse. Has anyone had trouble with their CV boots after lifting???

I only have 53500 miles on my 2003 but I am wondering if the actual boot near the clamp has a tear or crack that is allowing the grease to escape.

I can't be the only one who has seen this problem.

Thanks in advance.

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TC4RNR · 06-09-2009, 07:27 AM

that's why people install a differential drop kit, doesn't really matter what year/model is. your CV is rotating as _ / -, as the inner is shorter thus less forgiving upon stretch.

diff drop is very easy to install, at least on the 3rd gen's, faster than an oil change.

cervesa33 · 06-09-2009, 08:47 AM

If that is true why doesn't Daystar or Revtek add a diff drop kit? I have seen plenty of lifted 4th Gens with out a diff drop and seem to run just fine.

The Readylift kit I brought is for both the 4th gen and new FJ. It appears the diff drop was only physically tested on the FJ since the diff drop does not 100% work with the 4th gen's skid plates. Readylift only added (2) 1/2" skid plate spacers and the 4th gen needs atleast 4.

Once I get the additional skid spacers I will add the diff drop.

TC4RNR · 06-09-2009, 09:58 AM

why vendors sell shocks or springs by "per piece" which you will need "a pair"? it makes the price "lower". that's all marketing.
the reason they leak grease is because boots were stretched out and grease was squeezed out. if you don't do some thing to correct that CV angle, it's not gonna stop themselves, period. next, the boots will tear at the clamp.

there are 4 things you can do:
1.) reduce the lift(not likely)
2.) switch to longer boots(it's still gonna tear, but longer than stock, may not available)
3.) switch to a different CV axles(not likely, may not available)
4.) drop the diff.(cheap and easy)

William · 06-10-2009, 08:02 AM

I've been running my lift for quite a while now, with no problems.

After I installed mine, there wasn't really much of a CV joint angle. Before the lift, while standing still and sitting level, the CV shafts were straight, with very little or no CV joint angle. There is an angle now, but it doesn't look excessive.

I recently even installed some home made front spacers that gave another 3/4" of lift, with no additional issues. The original lifted height was only about 2 1/4" more than stock in front, and now it is right at 3" more than stock.

While I was installing my lift, I had a little trouble keeping my axleshafts in place. A few times, I had them move to where the CV joints were at full angle, and a few times the CV joints tried to pull apart.

Is it possible that you may have simply damaged the inner boots while you were installing the lift, and it didn't show up until after everything was back together?

TC4RNR · 06-10-2009, 12:55 PM

3" suspension lift changes the CV angle a lot, consider the axle shaft(not the whole CV axle) is only 12" long. it's pretty common among us who carry spare CV axle(s) while out wheeling. on my '99, I have both of my originals replaced with lifetime warranty NAPA re-man'ed within 4 months after the lift install. and I have another pair as spares. actually changing the whole CV axle is a pretty simple job, half hour per side, much easier and less messy than changing the boots.

cervesa33 · 06-11-2009, 07:22 AM

Thanks for everyone's input.
I installed the 1" diff drop kit that ReadyLift supplies and given how the differential is hung on the cross member the drop is less than 1".
The drive shaft angles are improved but not to stock angles. I will run it for a few days and see if this solved the leak issue.

If not I will replace the clamps.

06-09-2009, 07:27 AM	#2 (permalink)
TC4RNR Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: used to be so. cal. now Indy Posts: 643	that's why people install a differential drop kit, doesn't really matter what year/model is. your CV is rotating as _ / -, as the inner is shorter thus less forgiving upon stretch. diff drop is very easy to install, at least on the 3rd gen's, faster than an oil change. __________________ http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...gca/agreed.jpg 94 4Runner, SR5 3.0V6, 4WD, 5spd: SOLD 99 4Runner, SR5, 3.4L 4WD, 5spd. LC80 wheels, SS 1.2 lift, Marlin 1200 Clutch, ARB front bumper, BruceTS rear bumper, roof busket, hitch mount tire carrier, Tundra Brakes, Brembo rotors, BudBuilt skid, Lightforce 240 Blitz, PiAA HID, Stubb's HD-SKO sliders. ScanGauge II 04 4Runner SR5 V6 4WD. 265/75/16 BFG KO, FJC coils and silver Bilstein shocks, Scion H/U.

06-09-2009, 08:47 AM	#3 (permalink)
cervesa33 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Naptown, Maryland Posts: 44	I understand your point If that is true why doesn't Daystar or Revtek add a diff drop kit? I have seen plenty of lifted 4th Gens with out a diff drop and seem to run just fine. The Readylift kit I brought is for both the 4th gen and new FJ. It appears the diff drop was only physically tested on the FJ since the diff drop does not 100% work with the 4th gen's skid plates. Readylift only added (2) 1/2" skid plate spacers and the 4th gen needs atleast 4. Once I get the additional skid spacers I will add the diff drop. __________________ 2003 SR5 4x4 V6 Stock 17" Wheels Magnaflow Custom Exhaust ReadyLift SST Lift 3" front 2" rear (great ride)

06-09-2009, 09:58 AM	#4 (permalink)
TC4RNR Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: used to be so. cal. now Indy Posts: 643	why vendors sell shocks or springs by "per piece" which you will need "a pair"? it makes the price "lower". that's all marketing. the reason they leak grease is because boots were stretched out and grease was squeezed out. if you don't do some thing to correct that CV angle, it's not gonna stop themselves, period. next, the boots will tear at the clamp. there are 4 things you can do: 1.) reduce the lift(not likely) 2.) switch to longer boots(it's still gonna tear, but longer than stock, may not available) 3.) switch to a different CV axles(not likely, may not available) 4.) drop the diff.(cheap and easy) __________________ http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...gca/agreed.jpg 94 4Runner, SR5 3.0V6, 4WD, 5spd: SOLD 99 4Runner, SR5, 3.4L 4WD, 5spd. LC80 wheels, SS 1.2 lift, Marlin 1200 Clutch, ARB front bumper, BruceTS rear bumper, roof busket, hitch mount tire carrier, Tundra Brakes, Brembo rotors, BudBuilt skid, Lightforce 240 Blitz, PiAA HID, Stubb's HD-SKO sliders. ScanGauge II 04 4Runner SR5 V6 4WD. 265/75/16 BFG KO, FJC coils and silver Bilstein shocks, Scion H/U.

06-10-2009, 08:02 AM	#5 (permalink)
William Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bradley Junction, Florida Posts: 276	I've been running my lift for quite a while now, with no problems. After I installed mine, there wasn't really much of a CV joint angle. Before the lift, while standing still and sitting level, the CV shafts were straight, with very little or no CV joint angle. There is an angle now, but it doesn't look excessive. I recently even installed some home made front spacers that gave another 3/4" of lift, with no additional issues. The original lifted height was only about 2 1/4" more than stock in front, and now it is right at 3" more than stock. While I was installing my lift, I had a little trouble keeping my axleshafts in place. A few times, I had them move to where the CV joints were at full angle, and a few times the CV joints tried to pull apart. Is it possible that you may have simply damaged the inner boots while you were installing the lift, and it didn't show up until after everything was back together? __________________ '06 Tacoma TRD 4wd 4 door short bed. Rear locker mod (can use in high range and 2wd now). Skyjacker 3" lift struts with new rear springs and shocks. Home made spacers in front for another 3/4" lift. Roadmaster overload springs in the rear for another 7/8" lift, and better carrying/towing ability. 285/75-16 BFG All Terrains. More to come. '08 Yamaha FJR1300 with ABS and power adjustable windshield. '06 Yamaha Wolverine 450 sport/4wd ATV Last edited by William; 06-10-2009 at 08:09 AM.

06-10-2009, 12:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
TC4RNR Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: used to be so. cal. now Indy Posts: 643	3" suspension lift changes the CV angle a lot, consider the axle shaft(not the whole CV axle) is only 12" long. it's pretty common among us who carry spare CV axle(s) while out wheeling. on my '99, I have both of my originals replaced with lifetime warranty NAPA re-man'ed within 4 months after the lift install. and I have another pair as spares. actually changing the whole CV axle is a pretty simple job, half hour per side, much easier and less messy than changing the boots. __________________ http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...gca/agreed.jpg 94 4Runner, SR5 3.0V6, 4WD, 5spd: SOLD 99 4Runner, SR5, 3.4L 4WD, 5spd. LC80 wheels, SS 1.2 lift, Marlin 1200 Clutch, ARB front bumper, BruceTS rear bumper, roof busket, hitch mount tire carrier, Tundra Brakes, Brembo rotors, BudBuilt skid, Lightforce 240 Blitz, PiAA HID, Stubb's HD-SKO sliders. ScanGauge II 04 4Runner SR5 V6 4WD. 265/75/16 BFG KO, FJC coils and silver Bilstein shocks, Scion H/U.

06-11-2009, 07:22 AM	#7 (permalink)
cervesa33 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Naptown, Maryland Posts: 44	Diff drop installed Thanks for everyone's input. I installed the 1" diff drop kit that ReadyLift supplies and given how the differential is hung on the cross member the drop is less than 1". The drive shaft angles are improved but not to stock angles. I will run it for a few days and see if this solved the leak issue. If not I will replace the clamps. __________________ 2003 SR5 4x4 V6 Stock 17" Wheels Magnaflow Custom Exhaust ReadyLift SST Lift 3" front 2" rear (great ride)

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